AUBURN, AL. (EETV) – The Auburn softball team hosted Georgia Southern on Sunday following a disappointing 6-2 loss to Northwest Florida State on Saturday. The Lady Tigers picked up the slack after the loss, ending their exhibition games with a strong 8-2 victory over the GSU Eagles.
Auburn started Chalea Clemmons in her first career pitching appearance for the Tigers. Her and Hailey Rainey both had great outings for Auburn, with only one run being allowed in the first six innings from the Tigers. Rainey came over from Cal State Fullerton as a bullpen arm in last year’s transfer window. The Auburn offense was rolling in comparison to yesterday against Northwest Florida State, as Ole Miss transfer Ma’Nia Womack, KK McCrary, and Skylar Elkins all reached base, with Elkins knocking a triple down the first base line. Amelia Lech put one over the wall for Auburn as they hit their way to three runs in six innings and eight through the full 10. The defense was also on display with KK McCrary, Abbey Smith, and Axe Milanowski all made plays as they limited the Lions to only two runs on the day.
Kate Malveaux, one of the two of Auburn’s new co-head coaches, said after the game, “We're going to have things we need to learn from, but the fact that we're taking them and not making the same mistake twice is probably the best growth that we've seen. We're failing on the side of aggressive, and that's all we can ask for.”
Auburn shortstop Nelia Peralta commented as well on how she thought the team played, saying “I'm happy with our performance today, it was much more put together. We're still getting to know the coaching staff's whole perspective. We're learning a lot of new things offensively. The team is looking good and we're going to continue to get better.”
The team was able to bounce back from a rocky, error-filled day yesterday to earn themselves a win and a confidence booster in the fall season. With a couple big fall games coming up in the next few weeks, especially the November 9th double header between Auburn and Florida St as well as Team Canada, confidence and perseverance are key.
Auburn stays in town for some more fall ball action this upcoming weekend as they take on Wallace State Community College and the Lions from Hanceville, just north of Birmingham, at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. They also welcome Pearl River Community College’s Wildcats on Saturday at 2:00 PM. Both games will be at Jane B. Moore Field.
